Copy of a letter written from Buffalo, state of N. Y., December 21st, 1860. To the Honorable Abraham Lincoln, president elect, of the United States of North America

453

K35&.

COPY OF A LETTER

Written from Buffalo, State of N. Y., December 21st, 1860.

To the Honorable Abraham Lincoln, President elect, of the United States of
North America.

Dear Sir: — After mailing to you some pamphlets, etc., etc., on the 19tli inst., I

returned home and read in a newspaper that it was rumored at Washington that you

"and Mr. Hamlin were to be assassinated, but the report was not credited. Should

this rumor prove to be true, it is probably only a scheme of the enemy to try and

deter you from appeai'ing to be inaugurated.

Therefoi-e do not heed it, for you are aware of the dangers, difficulties and severe
trials David had to pass thi-ough and sui-mount before he ascended the throne of Is-
rael. And on the strength of his experience he exhorts the people of God, saying,
" Trust in the Lord and do good : so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou
shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord : and he shall give thee the desires of
thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him ; and he shall bring
it to pass." Psa. xxxvii. 3, 4, 5.

God having decided to remove Saul from being King over Israel, he commanded
Samuel to go and anoint one of Jesse's sons, whom he would name unto him, and he
selected David, and who could disannul it ? or frustrate God's design ? Saul and his
servants strove hard, but could not prevail. Now, Saul had not done anything which
appeared very evil in the sight of men, but he had disobeyed God's command, and
that was the cause of his removal.

And has not the head of this nation, and those about him, done many things
which appear evil in the sight of men ? as well as disobeying God's command, where
he saith, " Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do
ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matt. vii. 12.

If. God has now decided to remove those from authority who despise him, and dis-
obey his commands, who is to disannul it ? Are the ungodly always to rule ? Hear
the answer. " The prosperity of fools shall destroy them : but whoso hearkeneth unto
me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." Prov. i. 32, 33.

You have been chosen by the people to rule over them, and in all probability by
God's appointment, consequently he will require you to do His pleasure, and not the
pleasure of wicked men. i^ou know why the world hated Chi-ist ? It was' because
he testified of it that the works thereof are evil. See John vii. 7.

Of course you will not have the power David had. Your power will be limited.
You will have to execute the laws enacted by Congress. If they enact unrighteous,
grievous or oppressive laws, God will hold them responsible. For it is written, " He
hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God ?" Micah. vi.
8. And not seek to favor the gain of oppression, and lose their own soul.

Hence the important question put by the great master of assemblies. "■ What is
a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? " Matt.

xvi. 26. , IT • fl

Why then should the unrighteous gains of slave-trading and slave-holdmg, mtlu-
ence the minds of men to such an extent as to induce them to try to deter an hon-
orable man from doing his duty toward both God and man? Are they fully bent
on their own, or the country's destruction, if they can accomplish it? Are the same
dark and crimson crimes which were perpetrated in Kansas, to be performed over
ao-ain at the city of Washington? If so, is it not high time the system of slavery
w'as done away ? Therefore, as the cause is God's, stand up boldly in defence of truth
and righteousness; facing danger like a Christian trusting in the Lord, who is able
to dehver you out of the hand of evil doers.

E:4-5-'i

Nevertheless, in order to show us it is not p^ood to flinch, He proclaimed : " Who-
soever shall save his life shall lose it : and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake
shall find it." Matt. xvi. 25. " And I say unto you, my friends, be not afraid of
them that kill the body, and after that ha\e no more that they can do. But I will
forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power
to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear him." Luke xii. 4, 5. y

Therefoi'e, may the Lord be pleased to enable you fearlessly to undertake, and
faithfully to perform your duty both to God and man, as a true Christian ought to do.

And I consider it the bouuden duty of eveiy true Christian, every true patriot,
and every w^ell-wisher to the country, to endeavor to strengthen your hands in the
Lord, who hath declared: "The fear of the Loi'd is to hate evil, pride, and arro-
gancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate. Counsel is mine, and
sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign, and
princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the
earth. I love them that love me: and those that seek me early shall find me.
Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is
better than gold, yea, than fine gold : and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in
the way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgment : That I may cause
those that love me to inhei'it substance; and I will fill their treasures." Pro v. viii.
13 to 21.

Thus, you see, those that are influenced by God, rule j-ighteoiisly, not wickedly.
He will not own such as decree unrighteous decrees, because they are influenced by
the enemy of God and man. Therefore he saith: " Woe unto them that decree un-
righteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed: To turn
aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my
people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless."
Isaiah x. 1, 2.

See also how applicable the following portion of Scripture is to the present state
of aftaii'S in the country, in view of the imbecility of its late rulers. "And Lwill
give children (for explanation read Matt. xiii. 38, 39) to be their princes, and babes
(see Heb. \. 12, 13, 14) shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed
every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself
proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable.

" When a man shall take hold of his brother of the hovise of his fether, saying.
Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand. In that
day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer, for in ray house is neither bread
nor clothing, maTce me not a ruler of the people. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Ju-
dah is fallen : because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to pro-
voke the eyes of his glory." Isaiah iii. 4 to 8.

President Buchanan, and othei's, speak of the prosperity of the country under the
present order of things. But what are its effects? It tends only to make men for-
get God. As it is written, " In- prosperity they forgat me, but in their trouble they
will seek me early." May they not expect trouble then, if they continue their pre-
sent evil course?

Hear what God saith to rebellious sinners. " Because I have called, and ye re-
fused ; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded : But ye have set at
naught all my counsel, and would none of my i'e]:>roof : I will also laugh at your ca-
lamity; I will mock when your feai- cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation,
and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind : when distress and anguish cometh upon
you. Then shall ye call upon me, but I will not answer: thev shall seek me early,
but they shall not find me. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the
fear of the Loi'd : they would none of my counsel : they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own
devices." Proverbs i. 24 to 31.

Under present circumstances would it not he well for the slaveholders to reflect,
and consider their perilous position in the sight of God ? And like the people of
Nineveh, repent and turn to God, by giving up the system of slavery for a stipulated
sura of money, and avert the vengeance of Heaven ?

The father "^of his country, and the framers of the Constitution, hopefully looked to
the gradual, but final extinction of slavery in this land of freedom. And their hope
has been realized, so far as the Northern people are concerned. But the Southern
people, or a portion of them, are yet obstinate and rebellious against the Lord, and in-
stead of extinguishing it, they have increased the evil to such an alarming extent, that
it has divided" the churches as well as the public; and they are now wickedly seeking
to divide the country, in order perpetually to pursue their sinful and wicked course.
All the morning, "and a fifth part of the afternoon of the nineteenth century they
have spent in this dark, benighted condition. When will they learn wisdom, and
seek to be enlightened with the light of the living. Oh, that the sun of righteous-
ness may arise and shine upon them with healing underneath his beams, and scatter
those clouds of darkness, wickedness and woe, that the true light may shine among
them more and more unto the perfect day.

Why are they so anxious to retain and cherish slavery ? are its fruits of such vast
importance, and so difiicult to raise that they can not be obtained without upholding
slavery ? I believe the principal productions of slave labor are cotton, sugar, rice,
hemp and tobacco.

Can not these- things be raised by free colored persons as well as slaves? Even
supposing it should cost the planters a little more to hire free colored persons than to
kee]) slaves, could they not charge a little higher price for their productions? And
would it not be much better and'more Christian-like for the consumers both at home
and abroad to pay a little more for those commodities than to have the crimes
accompanying the slave system charged to their account by the Almighty ?

According to human law, is not the receiver considered nearly or quite as bad as
the thief? on the supposition, that if there were no receivers, there would be no
thieves. And will not God view things in a similar light? And if the consumers
to a certain extent are responsible to God for the sin? of slavery, are they not deeply
interested in the removal of the system ? •

Why then do not the people otfer to compensate the slave owners, if they will do
away with the svstem? And if they will not consent to do away with it on condi-
tion"of being paid a reasonable compensation, then let the friends of freedom through-
out the world make up their minds and agree not to purchase or use anything raised
by slave labor. And then the slave owners would soon be glad to come to terms, or
get into trouble among themselves.

But I hope thev will seriously consider their ways and act wisely. And may the
Lord bless them and make his face to shine upon them, that glory, praise and honor
may redound unto his most holy name, for the same, through time and all eternity.
While I remain thine to serve, "in all simplicity and sincerity, as the country's well-
w^isher. Frederick Hasted.

P. S. I believe the United States is now the last country in the world to pi'oclaim
liberty to the captive, excepting Cuba, where I presume it is kept up principally to
supply the Southern States with slaves. _

But it appears the time for it to be done away by Congress has arrived; and i
hope the friends of freedom, the friends of Christ and his religion, and the advocates
of the rights of man, will exert themselves to the utmost of their abihty in endeavor-
ing to obtain the Hberation of the slaves by means of_ a reasonable compensation,
which appears to be the only equitable way of getting rid of the evil.

If your friends and the friends of freedom rally now and obtain it, it will not only
save you and your cabinet a great deal of trouble, ill-feeling and inconvenience, but
it will be accomphshing a great and good work for the whole country.

Therefore, cas this appears to me to be the time for action, I consider the people
have as ranch to do with what I have written as yourself. Consequently I have
taken the liberty to write otF a copy to send to Mr. Greeley, to see if he would like to
ffive it a place in his widely circulated and valuable paper. F. H.

COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN FROM BUFFALO, N. Y, FEB. 4, 18G1.

To the Hon. Horace Greeley:

Sir: — Will you have the kindness to give the following a place in your widely
circulated and valuable paper?

If I understand right, the whole of the United States have adopted " Liberty "
for their national emblem. How is it then that the people of the Southern States
are so strongly attached to bondage ? Is it not because they are the children of the
bond-woman themselves, instead of being children of the fi-ee-woman? We are in-
formed, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid and the other by a
free-woman. But he who was of the bond-woman was born after the flesh, but he
of the free-woman was by promise; which things are an allegory: for these are the
two covenants. Gal. iv. 22, 23, 24.

By this the Apostle shows the difterence between the natural and spiritual seed of
Abraham, which is of vast importance to the soul. But on that point I am not now
going to ti'eat. But as respects natural things I am going to compare Washington
with Abraham.

You are aware, that neither of these great men were kings. Yet they are called
fathers, and they exerted, and still do exert, more influence over mankind than many
kings. God made pi-omise to Abraham that he would make him a father of many
nations. And although Washington had no natural children, yet he is called the
father of his country.

Now, if you take notice, Washington espoused " Liberty," but he spent consider-
able time in gaining her. But in the interim he had, as it were, children by the
bond-maid. Foi- not only did slavery exist in the land, but the whole people consid-
ered themselves in bondage to Great Britain.

Consequently, like Ishmael, they were the children of the bond-woman (or " Lib-
erty's servant "), and his first-born, and helped him subdue the land. Yet they were
not the true heirs, being children of the bond-woman, instead of the free-woman.

But when, through a kind Providence, Washington was enabled to establish free-
dom in the land, " Liberty," or the free-woman, also bare children to Washington,
and these (like Isaac) are the true heirs to whom the inheritance of freedom right-
fully belongs, because they embrace the fsiith and cai-ry out the principles of Wash-
ington.

As the Apostle spake of Abraham and his seed, saying, "Know ye therefore that
they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. "And the Scripture,
foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the
gospel unto Abraham, saying : '< In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
So then they which be of feith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Gal. iii. V, 8, 9.

Thus, you see, as the spiritual seed of Abraham which are born to him of the free-
woman (ifor ex])lanalion read Gal. iv. 26) are required to tread in his steps, so the
true seed of Washington, which are born to him of " Liberty," or the free-woman,
are required to ti-ead in his steps, and act as becometh the children of a great man,
endeavoring to carry out gi'eat principles.

For as God promised to make Abraham a fiither of many nations, declaring that
in him and his seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed, in a spiritual sense;
so it appears to be the intention of the Almighty to bless all nations in Washington
and his seed by the free-woman, in a temporal sense. For not only has the great
achievements of Washington had a beneficial eft'ect on the nations of Europe, but his

wise and virtuous conduct, unselfish and noble aims for the public good, have gained
for him the admiration of the world. And men of great minds and generous prin-
ciples strive to imitate him as far as circumstances will allow them.

Yet, not in this respect alone, are the nations blessed in Washington. But through
him, as an instrument in the hand of God, a great extent of rich and fertile land was
opened for settlement, to which the poor, industrious and oppressed of all nations
might tlock, to seek a home, enjoy peace and obtain a competency agreeable to the
provisions of the Constitution.

But the children of the bond-woman who inhabit the Southern States, do not tread
in the steps of their illustrious father. For they not only exclude freedom from the
States where they dwell, but seek to contract its area, endeavoring to grasp free soil
to pollute it, by planting slavery thereon.

What would Garibaldi think of the Neapolitans, if, after he had risked his life so
often to free them from the yoke of a tyrant, the people of Sicily Avere to introduce
negroes from Africa and establish slavery over the whole Island, and thus set up a
host of petty tyrants ? Would he not be ready to wish he had never done any thing
for a people so uttei-ly unworthy of freedom ?

And do not the slaveholders of the South stand in a similar position with Wash-
ina'ton ? Are they not endeavoring to spread slavery to the utmost of their ability ?
And boasting of the mischief they will do, if they can not have their way ? By en-
deavoring to pull down, break to pieces and destroy what Washington labored so
hard and so diligently to build up, establish, and maintain? Ought they not to feel
ashamed in the eyes of the woi-ld ? Or are they become so brutish in their knowl-
edge that they have no sense of shame, or of right and wrong? They seem to be
acting like cattle breaking into a fruitful enclosure, destroying ten times more than
they need to consume.

What is slavery in comparison with the Union ? Oh, that they were wise, that
they would forsake their evil course, adopt the principles of Washington, and endea-
vor to carry out his plans by extending the area of freedom, instead of encroachmg
on freedom's soil, endeavoring to run away with " Liberty " (whom the free sons of
Washington have espoused), to pollute her, by making a prostitute or an adultei-ess

of her.

To filch her fortune and her fame,
To fix a blot upon her name,

And leave her broken-hearted.

Is not this enough to arouse the wrath of her sons, who are jealous of her honor
and her integrity ? 'Is it not easy to see who is in the right, and who is in the wrong ?
Jesus declared, " Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of
thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit: but
a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." Matt. vii. 16, 17.

On the strength of this the Apostle asks this important question : " Know ye not,
that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye
obey ; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness ? " Rom. vi. 16.

Now, are the people of the slaveholding States serving God or Mammon ? Are
their fruits good, or are they evil ? Several of the States have departed from the
Union, as sinners depart from God. And I suppose you are aware that those who
do well, are not required by God to turn toward those who do evil. But he requu-es
those who do evil, to turn from their wickedness toward those who do well.

Therefore, it is written, "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and
in confidence shaU be your strength." "isaiah xxx. 15. Consequently God^saith to
his servant, "Let them return unto you; but return not thou unto them." Jere-
miah XV. 19.

Have the rebellious States any need be told which is to their interest, to retui-n as
they ought to do, or keep away and go on sinning as they ought not to do ?

I would most serious!}' exhort them in the language of Sci-ipture, " To consider
their ways," and return to God, and the Union, a"nd 'may the Lord bless them, and
cause his ftice to shine upon them, until he hath enlightened the whole South.
While I remain, in all simplieity, a well-wisher "to the whole country.

Frederick Hasted.

COPY OF A LETTER WRFFTEN FROM BUFFALO, N. Y., AFRIL 23, 1861.

To the Hon. Jefferson Davis, Montgomery, State of Alabama:

Sir: — About a year ago, I sent to you at Washington, D. C, some of my pam-
phlets, hoping you would have seen the propriety of endeavoring to do away with
the system of slavery on some equitable plan. Whether you received them or not, I
do not know, but seeing by the newspapers you are now' pursuing a widely different
course, I feel desirous of holding a little serious convei'sation with you on the awful
state of affairs you have already produced, and are still producing. For your attack
on the national flag in the bombardment of Foit Sumter, has united the people of
the free States against you to such an extent, that it will now be difiicult to appease
their indignation. Nevertheless there is, I think, one way open yet; and hoping you
are not a stranger to some sober second thoughts, and that you might yet allowyour-
self to be guided by good counsel, I take t1ie liberty of asking you the followino-
questions : ®

First, Have you duly considered the great evils you are about to bring upon your-
self, your friends, and the whole American people? Second, Is the slave system of
moi-e value, and of greater impoitance, than the lives of thousands, and probably
millions of white people? Third, Would it not be wiser and more noble to display
true patriotism, as every true Christian ought to do, and use your influence with the
slave owners in advising them to do away with the slave system, provided the people,
through the Go^'ernment and Congress, would pay them a certain sum of money, as
compensation foi- freeing their slaves ?

Acting on this principle, they would be remunerated to a reasonable extent, and
not lose the labor of their colored people, because when freed they could hire as many
as they needed to work for them, as laborers are hired in the free States. .

Moreover this would make room for the employment of your already free colored
population, which now appears to be considered a nuisance among you. ' Thus every-
thing might be made to run smoothly throughout the whole country.

Only consider the blood shed, the money expended, the property lost, belonging to
individuals and corporate companies as well as the Government, through being car-
ried oft', burned, and otherwise destroyed, in Texas and elsewhere already. And how
much more none can tell if you continue your present course; beside demoralizing
the people, destroying their peace, ])rosperity and comfort, setting brother againsl
brother, as if to see which can do the other the most mischief. And what" for?
Merely to uphold, perpetuate and extend slavery, Avhen you are aware all the civilized
world are opposed to the system. And I hope you are not so blind as to sup])ose
God will not hold you and others responsible for the evils spi'inging out of it. If vou
wish information on this point, read Psalm 1. 16 to 22.

But if you repent, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, by giving up your
idols, he has promised forgiveness. Therefore, by doing away with slavery you may
not only avert the judgments of God against your country, but again have an oppor-
tunity of enjoying the same privileges as other citizens, besides ha\-ing the honor of
restoring the Union to a ])erinanent peace and social intercourse which nothing can
then interrupt, and thereby oI)tain the esteem and good will of all truly Christian people.

I beg to inform you that I am an Englishman, and a Bi'itish subject, and consequently
a disinterested intercessor. I have been within the Union more than seventeen vears,
and ha\-e traveled over a portion of all the States north of North Carolina, Tennes-

see and Arkansas, excepting Minnesota (being twenty States), circulating- religious
poetry and pamphlets among the people; and I dread to contemplate 'the awful
scenes likely to attend an intestine war, particularly in the Soutlf, seeino- she is com-
posed of such combustible materials. For I love the American people °and hoi)e the
Union may yet be preserved to the end of time. And in oixler to assist a little in
restoring it to peace and prosperity, I would very willingly subscribe one hundred
dollars toward purchasing the freedom of the slaves, and should feel much pleasure
in having the opportunity afforded me.

And can your love of the Union, being an American, be less than mine, who am a
foreigner? I hope you will sei-iously consider these things and act in a right and
Christian spirit. And should you feel disposed to drop me a few lines, stating that
you will try to bring this about, I should be happy to exert ray humble influence
with the people of the Noiih, in endeavoring to settle the controversy in such a
friendly manner. For it is written, " Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God." Matt. v. 9. And I suppose you are aware that God
is pleased, at times, to make use of weak and humble instruments to bring about and
accomplish his great designs.

Hoping you will kindly accept my humble suggestions, I remain yours sincerely
in the Lord. Fkederick Hasted.

COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN FROx^I BUFFALO, K Y, APRIL 27, 18G1.

To Hon. Horace Greeley, editor in chief of the Neio York Tribune:

Mr. Editor: Sir, — I beg to inform you, that directly after breakfast this morn-
ing, a passage of Scripture came powerfully to my mind, which, during the pi'esent
excited state of the public mind appears not to have been noticed.

God declared by the prophet, " I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south.
Keep not back: bring my sous from fiir, and my daughters from the ends of the
earth." Isaiah xliii. 6.

Now, as God speaks to the heart and conscience of men, both in his written word
and by his Spirit, we may easily perceive how it has operated in time past, and how
it should continue to operate throughout time, in a temporal as well as in a spiritual
point of view. For the northei'u people on this continent have given up the system
of slavery long since. And the northern Autocrat of all the Russias, and his people,
have and are giving up the system of serfdom. Is it not now high time for the South
to hearken? and not keep back: by withholding freedom, and fighting to maintain
slavery? Do not the southern people profess to be Christians? and declare they are
contending for a good cause? even the cause of God and liberty ? If this were true,
would they not prove it by their works? for Jesus informed his followers how they
mio-ht know who are true Christians, saying: "Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Not every one that saith unto me, Loi-d, Loi-d, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven,
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast
out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depai't from me, ye that work iniquity." Matt. vii.
16, 21, 22, 23; read also Isaiah Iviii. I to 7 ; 2d Thess. ii. 1 to 12. And the
Apostle spake of some, saying: "They profess that they know God; but iu works
they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work i-epro-
bate." — Titus i. 16; read also Jeremiah xvii. 9. 10, 11.

Therefore in order to give them an opportunity to examine themselves so as to be
enabled to ascertain correctly whether they are really serving God, or opposing him
in the work of civilization and christianization, I entreat you kindly to condescend to
publish this in your widely circulated and valuable paper, and oblige yours sincerely.

Frederick Hasted.

TO THE READER.

In the Report of the Secretary of War, dated December 1st, 1861, I saw it stated that the
slave property of the States in rebellion has been variously estimated at the value of from
Seven to Ten Hundred Millions of Dollars.

And I expect it will cost the Union people that amount, or more, tojjut down the rebellion,
replace property destroyed, and repair property injured ; to say nothing of the sacrifice of life,
and dei'angement of business and commerce.

And to the rebels the loss will be greater, beside causing the inhabitants of the slave States
to en-dure much privation, perplexity; distress, sickness and sutfering, entailing upon them
dis^g£s of various kinds, and death in different shapes and forms, through the pride, obstinacy
and^Bttjition of evil designing men.

It is really horrible for those at a distance only to read the accoTints, and what must it be
to those who are under its baneful influence, and sensibly feel its sad and ruinous etfects ?

Why will men be so obstinate and rebellious against the Lord, and rush on headlong to
destruction like Pharaoh ? Is not his fate recorded ? Why then tread in his steps ? Are they
determined to prove that God calls in vain (at least to them), saying: " consider your ways."

See how much better it would have been for all concerned, if my suggestions had been
accejjted, acted on, and carried out, so as for the slaves to have been liberated tor a reason-
able compensation. That would have preserved the peace and prosperity of the whole coun-
try, so that the nation would have scarcely felt the cost, saved much blood and treasure, fur-
thered the cause of God and Christian benevolence,exalted the nation in the eyes of the world,
and have screened Mexico from foreign invasion.

Instead of which, this that is written cometh to pass, " Fools because of their transgressions,
and because of their iniquities are afflicted. Because they rebelled against the words of God,
and contemned the counsel of the Most High." Psalm cvii. 11, 17. Read also Jeremiah i. 4
to 19. Because that shows that in all things pertaining to life and godliness the servant of the
Lord has to do with all nations, kindreds, people and tongues.

If you wish further information on this point, read Proverbs xv. 1 to 10 ; Revelations vii. 9.

While I remain yours sincerely in the Lord. Frederick Hasted.

[First Edition, March 14th, 1S62. Second Edition, Sept., 1863.]

I will here introduce a beautiful piece of poetry, showing that while the Union sentinel is
quietly performing his duty, a Southern assassin, disguised as a soldier, violates God's com-
mand " Thou shalt not lie in wait to shed blood."

THE PICKET GUARD.

" All quiet along the Potomac," they say,

"Except, now and then, a stray picket
Is shot, as he walks on his beat to and fro,

By a rifleman hid in the thicket.
'T is nothing — a private or two, now and then.

Will not count in the news of the battle ;
Not an officer lost — only one of the men

Moaning out, all alone, the death rattle."

All quiet along the Potomac to-night,

Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming ;
Their tents in the rays of the cle.ar autumn moon,

Or the light of the watch-lire are gleaming.
A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night-wind

Through the forest leaves softly is creeping ;
While stars up afcove, with their glittering eyes,

Keep guard — for the army i» sleeping.

There's only the sound of the lone sentry's tread,
As he tramps from the rock to the fountain ;

And he thinks of the two in the low trundle bed,
Far away in the cot on the mountain.

His musket falls slack — his face, dark and grim.
Grows gentle, with memories tender,

As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep —
For their mother — may Heaven defend her !

The moon seems to shine just as brightly as then, —

That night when the love, yet unspoken,
lyeaped up to her lips — when low-muimured vows

Were pledged, to be ever unbroken.
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eyes,

He dashes off tears that are welling,
And gathers his gun closer up to its place

As if to keep down the heart-swelling.

He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree, —

The footstep is lagging and weary ;
Yet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light

Toward the shade of the forest so dreary.
Hark ! was it the night-wind that rustled the leaves

Was it moonlight so woudrously flashing ?
It looked like a rifle — '■ Ha ! Mary, good-bye ! "

And the life-blood is ebbing and j)lashing.

All quiet along the Potomac to-night !

No sound save the rush of the river ;
While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead —

The picket's olf duty for ever ! E. B.

In respect to the next President, as a citizen or politician I have nothing to say to the
American people. But as a Christian and well-wisher to the American Union, I l»eg leave most
respectfully to ask: Has nut President Lincoln served his term hitherto faithfully? and would
it not be well to re-elect him, in order for him to complete what he has so well begun '1

But should he not wish to serve another term, permit me to suggest Major General U. S.
Grant as a man whose valuable services and brilliant successes well deserve the high honor
of b(!ing placed in the Presidential chair by his grateful countrymen.

And if assisted by staunch and able advisers would not the honor of the nation, and the
rights and liberties of individuals be perfectly safe in his hands?

Awaiting your decision, 1 remain yours sincerely in the Lord. Frederick Hasted.